I agree it is the booze culture that is the trouble, and as the originator says, not the cost.

The licensing trade helped by the government have created a monster

   SC - how did you find your weekend back in the "mothertown", did you manage to get around what with all the drunk pregnant mouthy youths everywhere?

Hope you had a good time.

   Rubbish.

   It doesnt take much Slinky, i think they all need a group hug because they are sooo sensitive. Bless them!

   If you'll pardon the euphemism, it appears to me that there are a number of lips chapping themselves on the wrong backside here. If you're going to brownnose, at least choose somebody who acts on the issues he raises. Sucking up to someone who raises the same issues week in and week out [and that seems to be the limit of his literary talent] is as futile as complaining endlessly without action. Which IMHO makes this column pretty useless to the people of Macclesfield.

   No really I mean it.

   You offend yourself more by showing your lack of maturity and respect. To Pete111. Fowler, I don't have a telephone book here, and if I did your number would be the last one I would want to look up.

   Dear me, fantasy land, I don't know what your reading but hey If ive offended you or TEAst then shucks - soz.

   My name's 'Fowler', Gordon and you can find it in the telephone book.

You will notice, Gordon, if you follow up any of the so-called real names here, that actually they don't exist. Only some of us have used our real first names.

Me, I'm all for transparency - who are you, Big K? And you, 'T Eastman"?

Because - agreeing with some of 'your' posts - this anonymity is the curse of the Internet. Because it allows people to be rude without ever having to face the music.

   Slinky it was I who insulted you, on purpose, I'm afraid. You stated that you had not offended anyone. I pointed out that you had, as you seemed to enjoy doing to anyone who holds a different opinion to yourself. The topic was "Booze issue is culture, not cost." The topic which you have yet to comment on, instead of trying to insult and demean people. I don't think it is only my opinion.

   Pot, Kettle and Black come to mind. Perhaps you have a short memory Slinky as it was you who were trying to insult me. I ignored it and did not comment until now. Please do get your facts right.

For the record, I have never met, or spoken to, or had any contact with Mr Barlow in my life.

    This isn’t being outspoken, its saying the same things again and again, outspoken would be trying to deal with it or recognising the cause and looking for solutions, outspoken would be championing the plight of these kids .

Far easier to knock them, there is a ready audience with people like Gordon around.

The only people being insulting here are you (Gordon) and Big K, if anyone is “sad” its you. Just my opinion…………………………………………

   Some of the comments/insults on here are nothing short of pathetic. Changing Slinky to Stinky and in the same breath insisting on being taken seriously. Complete lazy journalism from Vic as usual, has he never seen the trailer trash on Jerry Springer? Eastman and Big K i honestly say i cant recall a single comment from either of you that reflected any modicum of intelligence whatsoever.

Vics article is based upon idle conjecture and massive generalisations (he'll be telling us they dont have drug problems, racial divides or ghettos in the US next) and deserves panning.

The Satisfied Customer (back in the UK and cold, but shopping to satisfaction in Manchester)

I'll be in Macclesfield over the weekend and will give you the benefit of my observations then.

   While I agree that booze culture is a problem, I think Vic tends to oversimplify the matter. As he always does.

T. Eastman, it seems to me that you always absolutely agree with everything Vic writes. Why is that, I wonder?

   I for one would prefer to call you stinkywizard for you certainly are offensive, only my opinion of course.

As for the Quote of Pete111 “anonymus personna's! Is that some kind of flower? T Eastman, I do not use a fake persona, as I suspect you well know. pete111 26/03/2008 at 12:54 “

Well I for one am anonymous as Gordon, and so is Pete111, although he seems too impervious to even realise it. I have never ever heard of anyone called Pete111 who was not hiding his identity, deliberately being anonymous. All anyone knows is that it is some sad pensioner with a bus pass. I would suspect not a Maxonian.

This Barlow character seems to be too outspoken and honest for you.